Gospel of John -- 1:1-18

Introduction

As we mentioned last week, John wrote the prologue, the first 18 verses of his Gospel around the same time he wrote his letters, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John.

The prologue can be divided into four strophes, or stanzas.

Stanza 1: The Logos and God (1:1-2)

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

(ESV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

The Word Became Flesh

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2He was in the beginning with God.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

Stanza 2: The Logos and Creation (1:3-8)

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

Stanza 3: The Logos and Revelation (1:9-13)

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Stanza 4: The Logos and Incarnation (1:14-18)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Prologue Themes Carried Throughout John

The Identity of the Son of God

The Nature of the World

The Possibilities for Humanity